Gettysburg Optimist Basketball: “Bringing out the best in kids!” for over 55 years.

It began way back in 1965 when the Optimist Club of Gettysburg sponsored the first Optimist Youth Basketball program for youngsters from the Gettysburg area. It sought to teach the fun and fundamentals of basketball to youngsters in grades K through 6, regardless of their individual skill level. At the start of the program, rules were very simple: all kids played, all focused on the fundamentals of the game, no scorekeeping and all participants were required to have fun.

Over 55 years later the Optimist Youth Basketball Program continues to observe the same set of rules and still reaches out to the youth of the community who want to learn the game of basketball, have fun, and share an experience that forms life-long memories. The free program is conducted on Saturday mornings over eight weeks of winter. Each one-hour session is held at Lincoln Elementary School in Gettysburg on Saturday mornings in January and February. The players are divided into grades K-1 and grades 2-3 and grades 4-6. All participants are encouraged to attend, even if they cannot commit to attending all the weekly sessions. Each participant will receive a free basketball t-shirt as a memento of their experience.

Free basketball sessions begin January 6, 2023, in the Lincoln Elementary gym and will occur every Saturday through the end of February. The schedule is as follows: Grades K & 1 from 9-10 am, Grade 2 & 3 from 10-11am, Grades 4-6 from 11-12pm. Children can be registered by completing an online form at gettysburgoptimist.com or by printing the paperwork from our website and mailing the registration to PO Box 3035 Gettysburg, PA 17325. All registration forms must be received prior to children participating in the program. Late registration forms will not be accepted after January 14.

The Optimist Club of Gettysburg Youth Basketball Program is one of the many youth-oriented programs conducted and funded by the local Optimist Club each year. Club members, parents and community volunteers act as leaders, monitors, coaches and mentors. Many of them were once young participants in earlier programs and are now coaching and mentoring their children and grandchildren. The Youth Basketball Program would not be a success without the help of our volunteers. Since its inception more than 5,500 area young people have participated in the annual basketball outings. Consider donating your time as a coach or station leader in order to help this Youth Basketball Program be a positive impact on the youth of the community.

 Online Registration

Print & Mail Optimist Hoops Registration Form

Gettysburg Optimist Basketball Schedule 2023

Saturday, January 6
Saturday, January 13
Saturday, January 20
Saturday, January 27
Saturday, February 3
Saturday, February 10
Saturday, February 17
Saturday, February 24

Are you Interested in Coaching or Volunteering? We’d love to have you join us.  Please start by filling out the following form and apply for the required clearances.  We “Thank You” as we couldn’t offer this program without the many gracious and generous volunteers.  Optimist Club of Gettysburg Volunteer Waiver